Carrying case



Sept. 12, 1967 L. MCCREERY ETAL' 3,340,997

CARRYING CASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1965 INVENTORS Lawrence McCrce y Larry H. Marks Jr.

Sept. 12, 1967 ETAL' 3,340,997

CARRYING CASE.

Filed Oct. L, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet WVENTORS Lawrence Mc.Creer Larry H.Marks r.

Se t. 12, 1967 L. MCCREERY ETAL' 3,340,997

CARRYING CASE $Sheets-Sheet s Filed Oct.

INVENTORS Lawrence Mc.Creery Larry H. Marks Jr.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,34 ,997 Patented Sept. 12, 1967 3,340,997CARRYING CASE Lawrence McCreery, Woodside, and Larry H. Marks, In,Novato, Calif}, assignors to Probe and Develop, Inc., San Francisco,Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 491,92212 Claims. (Cl. 206-1) This invention relates to a carrying and storagecase that is particularly adapted for use in carrying or storing reelsof movie film or like articles. The general construction of the presentinvention is similar to that of the carrying case disclosed in PatentNo. 3,169,682 which is assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication. Reference is made to said patent for those details ofconstruction and use that are not included herein.

The carrying case disclosed in the above noted patent is adapted to bemade of strong resilient plastic and the case portion and cover portionare preferably die cast. In die casting an article of this type having arelatively large area certain problems are encountered in minimizing theamount of plastic employed and at the same time obtaining the strengththat is essential in the subject type of case.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to generally improvethe construction of the carrying case shown in Patent No. 3,169,682 tothe end that the weight of the carrying. case is minimized withoutadversely affecting the strength and operation of the case.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved gasketfor a carrying case of the subject type and which gasket is effective toprovide a relatively tight seal against the entrance of air or moistureinto the case and which at the same time does not present so muchfrictional resistance as to make the torque required to open or closethe case so great that use of the case becomes impractical. In thisconnection it will be understood that in an article of this type thatprovides a relatively large diameter storage space many conventionalgaskets which require deformation to eifect a suitable seal would createso much resistance to relative move ment between the gasket and theelement with which it cooperates that an inordinate amount of torquewould be required to close and open the case. It is therefore an objectof the present invention to provide a novel type of gasket that not onlyefifects a good seal but which deforms in such a manner as to minimizethe frictional resistance required to make or break the seal.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel lockingdevice for releasably securing the case portion and cover portion of thecarrying case together so that it is not inadvertently opened in transitor when subjected to rough usage.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a carryingcase incorporating means for storing and protecting a relatively largereel of film as for example a 1200' or 1600 16 mm. film and which at thesame time provides means for storing one or more smaller reels if thisbecomes desirable.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingspecification and from the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top plan .view of the carrying case.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the interior of the cover portionof the carrying case.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the interior of the case portion ofthe carrying case.

FIG. 4 is a typical cross section through one corner of the carryingcase in closed condition as taken in a plane indicated by lines 44 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of the closed carrying case at thecentral portion thereof as taken in a plane indicated by lines 55 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a typical cross section at the periphery of the cover portionas taken in a plane indicated by lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the carrying case at the locking devicewith the latter in unlocked condition.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the locking device in lockedposition.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of the locking member.

FIG. 10 is a semischematic view showing the butting ends of the gasketand the method of securing the same.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the carrying casewith the case portion uppermost and partly broken away to show anotherform of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the device of FIG. 11 taken in a planeindicated by lines 12-12 of FIG. 11.

First with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the carrying case of the presentinvention includes a case portion generally designated 1 and a coverportion generally designated 2. At the four corners of the cover 2 thereare provided hand or finger openings 3, 4, 5 and 6 and at the corners ofthe case portion 1 there are provided similar openings 7, 8, 9 and 10(FIG. 11) which, when the case is closed, cooperate respectively withopenings 3, 4, 5 and 6 to provide a handle means at each corner of thecase.

It is desirable to afford the user as much leverage as possible foropening and closing the case and especially for opening the case. Whenthe hand openings in the case and cover are in exact registration it issometimes difficult for the user to overcome the friction required toopen the case. To permit the user to develop a greater torque the caseof the present invention is provided with an arcuate portion 11 which isoifset inwardly of the opening 7 so that it is out of registration withthe corresponding portion of the corresponding opening in the cover 2.By

this construction the user is not required to cause relative rotationbetween parts that have exactly registering surfaces but is providedwith an offset portion in one surface so as to obtain additionalleverage for starting the opening movement. Since one of the importantfeatures of this type of case is the provision of a convenient handlemeans at each corner it is desirable to provide the offset portion 11 ateach of the four corners of the case portion. Such offset portion 11provides suflicient leverage for starting the opening movement of thecase without requiring similar offset portions on the cover of the case.However, the leverage provided the user is considerably increased byproviding a similar offset portion on the cover. Since such oifsetportion adds to the weight of the device, although only slightly, it ispreferable to provide only one of said portion 12 on the cover. Such anoffset portion is indicated in FIG. 2 at the opening 3 which is adjacentthe locking member generally designated 13 (FIG. 1) which willsubsequently be described in detail.

In this connection it is preferable to provide an instruction label 14which, when the device is used for the first time may be referred to andfollowed when the case is opened. By providing the offset portion 12 atthe opening 3 there are thus provided opposed offset portions 11, 12which when urged in opposite directions by the fingers of a userfacilitate the opening movement.

It will be understood that the offset portions 11, 12 are moldedintegrally with the case and cover and require little additional weightin comparison with the advantage they aflord.

In Patent No. 3,169,682 a carrying case is disclosed that is providedwith four sets of bayonet type joints which function to urge the caseand cover together to effect the necessary seal. In order to provide theinterengaging lips required in the bayonet type joint it is necessary,in the structure of the cited patent, to provide slots on the case andcover portions which represent the spaces required for the die insertsemployed to form the interengaging lips during the molding process. Ithas been found that such slots become inordinately long when theinterengaging joints are made as extensive as possible. These die insertslots thus have the effect of weakening the case and cover especiallyagainst diaphragming action tending to distort the case parts and alsotending to cause leakage in the gasket.

By the present invention the above noted disadvantage is overcome byforming the bayonet joints in segments. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 2and 3, there are provided bayonet joint segments 16a, 16b (correspondingto lips 13 in Patent No. 3,169,682) in the case portion 1 and segments17a, 17b (corresponding to lips 14 in Patent No. 3,169,682) in the coverportion 2. The segments 16a, 1617 require the provision of slots 18a,18b in the case portion 1 to provide for the die inserts and similarlyslots 19a, 1% are required in cover 2 for receipt of the die insertsthat form the bayonet joint lips 17a, 17b. It will be apparent that thereduction in length of the die insert accommodating slots and thecontinuity of the material of the case portion and cover portion betweenthe smaller slots contribute to a substantial increase in strength ofthe portions of the carrying case and also the rigidity of the same.

The locking device of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8and 9. The cover 2 is provided with a bore 23 which, when the caseportion and cover portion are in registration, is in alignment with abore 24 in case portion 1. Received within said bore 23 is a lockingmember 26 formed in two parts and including an inner locking end portion27 (FIG. 9) and an outer portion 28. Inner and outer portions 27, 28 arerespectively provided with recess 29 and an axially extending projection30 of noncircular cross section so that said portions may be securedtogether by a self tapping screw 31 at assembly.

Molded integrally with cover 2 is a cam track 33 which is slantinglydisposed relative to the axis of bores 23, 24 and which extends radiallyinwardly of bore 23. Integral with portions 27, 28 of locking member 26are a pair of axially spaced shoulders 34, 35 respectively which, whenthe locking member is assembled, are disposed on opposite sides of thecam track 33. By this structure it will be apparent that upon rotationof locking member 26 the opposed shoulders 34, 35 engaging the cam track33 will cause the locking member to move axially. For the purpose offacilitating rotation of locking member 26 the outer portion 28 isprovided with an enlarged head and a diametrally extending ridge 38which is adapted to be grasped by the fingers of the user. The ridge 38extends radially outwardly past the enlarged head 37 to provide aprojection 39 which is received within an arcuate slot 48 formed incover 2. Said slot 40 extends for less than 180 and its ends providestops for the projection 39 thus limiting the rotation of the lockingmember to about half a turn. It will be apparent from FIGS. 7, 8 thatwhen the locking member is turned from the unlocked 4 position of FIG. 7toward the locked position of FIG. 8 the inner end 27 of the lockingmember 26 will extend into the bore 24 in case portion 1 thus preventingany relative rotational movement between the portions of the carryingcase.

The above described lock structure lends itself to manufacture byinjection molding and the two piece construc tion of the locking member26 simplifies the design of the locking means and at the same time makesassembly an easy matter.

The gasket of the present invention is best seen in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 10and comprises an elongated length of an elastomer such as rubber which,in cross section, is provided with a pair of inner and outer flanges 41,42 connected along their corresponding side edges by a connecting piece43. The cover 2 is provided with a circular wall 44 the inner side ofwhich defines the maximum diameter of the gasket when the latter is bentto the required circular shape. Thus the outer edge of flange 41 abutsthe circular wall 44 of the cover and a small annular projection 45 isformed integral with cover 2 providing an annular space between the wall44 and projection 45 within which is received the flange 41 of thegasket.

Although the gasket may be said to be generally U- shaped in crosssection it is preferable that the free flange 42 slant outwardly fromthe connecting piece 43 away from the opposed flange 41 as best seen inFIG. 6. When the cover and case are assembled as seen in FIG. 4 andaxial movement of cover and case is effected by relative rotation thecircular wall 46 of the case 1 engages flange 42 of the gasket and urgesit toward flange 41 to the position of FIG. 4. By this construction itwill be seen that the resistance of the gasket to deformation is notgreat so that an inordinate amount of torque is not required to effectthe closing movement. However, the configuration of the gasket as bestseen in FIG. 4 when the case is closed is such that any air attemptingto enter from the outside between walls 44 and 46 in the cover and caserespectively will tend to spread the flanges 41, 42 apart therebyenhancing the sealing effect. It will be understood in this connectionthat as the circular portion Wall 46 of the case portion is rotatedrelative to the wall 44 of the cover, such rotation willresult in asliding action between the free end of the wall 46 and the outer flange42 of the gasket. Such sliding action against the resiliency of theflange 42 tends to improve the seal.

When the length of gasket material is cut to the correct dimension theends may be joined together by fitting the flanges 41, 42 over astraight rail 50 of nylon or the like and applying adhesive 51 to theends of the gasket. By coating the rail 50 with silicone or similarmaterial the tendency of the adhesive to adhere to said rail can beminimized in this operation.

It will be noted that the flange 42 is preferably slightly shorter thanflange 4 1 so that the free end of flange 42 does not interfere with thewall 44 thus insuring that the circular wall 46 of the case engages theflange 412 at all points along the circumference of the latter.

The reel generally designated 52 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is positioned in thecase with the central opening 53 of the reel received around inwardlyextending bosses '54, 55 integral with case portion 1 and cover portion2 respectively. To facilitate proper orientation of the two portions ofthe case at assembly boss 55 is preferably provided with an axiallyprojecting extension 56 which is received within a complementarilyformed hole 57 in boss 54. For this same purposeit is preferable thatthe bosses 54, 55 be generally fr-ustoconical in shape as shown in (FIG.5.

Although the bosses 54, 55 may be formed so as to engage the reel 52 atthe central opening of the latter it is preferable that the reel be inengagement with the peripheral portion of the case so as to reduce thelikelihood of breaking the bosses 54, 55 in the event the filled case issubjected to a sudden shock. To this end it is preferable to provide aplurality of spaced projections 60 (FIG. 3)

integral with the circular wall 46 of case portion '1 so that the outerperiphery of the reel 52 is very slightly spaced apart from the innersurface 61 of the projection 60.

Any tendency of the reel 5-2 to shift relative to the carrying case isfurther minimized 'by the presence of the gasket 40. Thus, as best seenin FIGS. 4, 6, the connecting piece 43 of the gasket 40 is positioned sothat the outer periphery of the reel 52 engages the gasket at theconnecting piece 43 when the case is closed. This of course sets up arelatively large frictional resistance to any movement of the reel '52relative to the carrying case in transit.

Although the carrying case of the present invention is most advantageousfor storing relatively large reels of film it lends itself to storage ofsmall reels such as 100" and 200 reels. The above described case may beconverted to use with a plurality of small reels by providing agenerally cylindrical cushion 65 of foam plastic or the like which is ofa size to be received within the cylindrical space defined by side wall46 of the case portion. Said cushion 65 may be formed with a pluralityof holes 66 each of which may receive therein a reel 67 of relativelysmall size compared to the large reel for which the case is primarilydesigned. Not only does the cushion 65 atford good protection for thereel 67 but its presence also helps to exclude light and air and foreignmatter that might injure the film.

It will be understood that the above specific description of thepreferred form of the invention is given with emphasis on thoseinnovations not found in Patent No. 3,169,682 and those details of theconstruction not described above may be found in said patent.

The very specific description given above is not to be taken asrestrictive of the invention as it will be apparent that variousmodifications in design may be resorted to by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with a pair of members mounted for combined rotationaland axial movement relative to each ather between an open and a closedposition and vice versa, a closure seal comprising:

an annular gasket formed with a pair of flanges connected together at acircular juncture along one of their corresponding side edges and spacedapart at their other corresponding side edges,

means retaining one of said flanges on one of said members,

the other of said members being provided with a circular projectionhaving a free circular edge adapted to engage the other of said flangesand urging said other flange toward said one flange upon movement ofsaid members toward closed position.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said pair of members definea container for an article and said flanges extend divergently radiallyoutwardly from said juncture toward the exterior of said container.

3. In a container provided with a container body and a closure, and withcooperating means on said body and closure permitting combinedrotational and axial movement relative to each other between an open anda closed position and vice versa, a closure seal for preventing leakageinto said body and \for minimizing the torque required to overcomefrictional resistance to closing, said seal comprising:

an annular gasket formed with a pair of annular flanges connectedtogether at a circular juncture along their inner side edges and spacedapart at their pposite side edges,

a seat formed on said body for retaining one flange of said pairthereon,

said closure being provided with an axially extending circularprojection having a free circular edge in engagement with the other ofsaid pair of flanges and adapted to urge said other flange toward saidone flange upon rotational and axial movement of said closure towardclosed position.

4. A structure according to claim 3 wherein said seat is defined by apair of radially spaced inner and outer axially extending elements, saidone flange being received between said elements and said other flangebeing of a width to clear said outer element when in closed position.

5. A lockingdevice for preventing movement between a pair of partssupported for relative movement comprismg:

a bore formed in one of said parts,

a locking member mounted within said bore and formed with an innerlocking end portion and an outer portion adapted to be engaged by thefingers of a user,

the other of said pair of parts being formed with an opening adapted toreceive said inner end of said member therein for locking said partstogether,

a pair of stops on said one part circumferentially spaced relative tosaid bore and adapted to engage said member for limiting rotation ofsaid member between open and closed positions less than 360 apart,

a helical cam track integrally formed on said one part and projectinginwardly of said bore,

said member being formed with a pair of axially spaced shouldersrespectively positioned on opposite sides of said track,

said member being transversely split between said shoulders to permitthe opposite ends thereof to be secured together at assembly with saidone part, and

means for so securing said ends together at assembly.

6. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said one part is molded andsaid cam track and stops are integral with said one part.

7. A structure according to claim 6 wherein said member is formed atsaid outer portion with a radially outwardly projecting extension, andwherein said one part is formed with an arcuate slot terminating at itsopposite ends in shoulders constituting said stops, said extension beingreceived in said slot.

8. A carrying case for a generally fiat cylindrical article such as areel of movie film comprising:

a case portion including -a side and an integral circular wall at rightangles to said side defining a cylindrical space adapted to receive saidarticle therein,

a cover including a circular flange radially outwardly of said wall,

first bayonet joint elements integral with said case portion radiallyoutwardly of said wall and second bayonet joint elements integral withsaid flange for securing said case portion and cover together uponrelative rotation thereof,

an annular gasket carried by said cover closely adjacent said flange andadapted to be engaged by the free edge of said circular wall for forminga seal between said case portion and cover, I

each of said bayonet joint elements comprising a plurality of bayonetjoint segments circumferentially spaced apart to provide a spacetherebetween, and

said case portion and cover being formed on their opposed sides witharcuate slots in registration with said segments, whereby said opposedsides are continuous throughout the portions between said slotscorresponding to the spaces between said segments of said bayonet jointelements.

9. In a storage case for a relatively large diameter generallycylindrical article such as a reel of film,

means on said case defining a generally cylindrical space for receivingsuch a cylindrical article therein,

a generally cylindrical removable filler member received in said spaceand formed to provide a plurality of cavities for receiving a pluralityof such similar articles therein.

10. A storage case according to claim 9 wherein the the depth of saidcavity is at least equal to the thickness 01 said similar articles.

11. A storage case according to claim- 9 wherein the opposite sides ofsaid case at said cylindrical space are spaced apart a distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of said filler member.

12. A storage case according to claim 9 wherein said filler member issnugly received in said space and is formed with a circular row ofopenings concentric with the central axis of said space defining acircular row of cavities for receiving a plurality of such similararticles therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS McIntosh 22040 Nelson 220--46Sperry 206--52 Schwendler et a1. 220--40 Alden 206-52 Hollingsworth20652 10 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR, Ass'ismm Examiner.

9. IN A STORAGE CASE FOR A RELATIVELY LARGE DIAMETER GENERALLYCYLINDRICAL ARTICLE SUCH AS A REEL OF FILM, MEANS ON SAID CASE DEFININGA GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL SPACE FOR RECEIVING SUCH A CYLINDRICAL ARTICLETHEREIN, A GENERALLY CYLINDER REMOVABLE FILLER MEMBER RECEIVED IN SAIDSPACED AND FORMED TO PROVIDE A PLURALITY OF CAVITIES FOR RECEIVING APLURALITY OF SUCH SIMILAR ARTICLES TEREIN.